Big news: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is through to the Champions League quarterfinals after edging out Liverpool on penalties. They took the second leg 1-0, leveling the tie overall!
Ousmane Dembélé kicked things off with a goal just 12 minutes in, catching Liverpool off guard after they had the upper hand early on at Anfield. This score helped PSG bounce back after Liverpool’s win at their home turf last week.
Before the match started, those flashy ad boards shouted, “Nights we’ll never forget.” Clever advertising, right? As it turns out, it totally foreshadowed an epic clash that will definitely be remembered in Champions League history.
Mohamed Salah had some golden chances but couldn’t put it in. That opened the door for Dembélé to capitalize on a mix-up between Liverpool’s goalie Alisson Becker and defender Ibrahima Konaté to score. Alisson, who shone in the first game, made some great saves again. PSG’s keeper, Gianluigi Donnarumma, showed up big too, denying a powerful header from Luis Díaz.
Liverpool gave it their all too, hitting the post with substitute Jarell Quansah and seeing another goal disallowed for offside. Still, PSG earned their stripes over the two matches, with Désiré Doué smashing in the winning penalty after Darwin Núñez and Curtis Jones missed theirs. — Beth Lindop
Dembélé and Donnarumma: From Zeroes to Heroes
Dembélé and Donnarumma were the names on everyone’s lips after PSG snatched the victory.
Both players sought redemption after a rocky first leg against Liverpool. Dembélé wanted to shake off the missed chances, while Donnarumma aimed to make up for his previous mistake that cost PSG a goal.
After a bunch of criticism following the first game, both players turned the narrative around. Dembélé scored a crucial goal and kept Liverpool’s defense on their toes. He took charge in the penalty shootout like a boss.
On the flipside, Donnarumma might not have been super busy during the game, but he made history during the penalty shootout with two key saves—helping his team clinch victory.
In big moments, big players rise, and on this night, Dembélé and Donnarumma were massive. — Julien Laurens
Núñez’s Miss Highlights Liverpool’s Struggles
Núñez is a player that gets fans talking—he can be a game-changer and a head-scratcher at the same time during his time at Anfield.
Despite all the excitement, his penalty miss is a tough memory for both him and Liverpool, as it knocked them out of the UEFA Champions League.
It was hard to watch him shuffle back to his teammates, as this moment harshly snapshots his journey at Liverpool. Coming off the bench to replace Diogo Jota, Núñez couldn’t make much impact, and his penalty miss may stick with him longer than he’d like. — Lindop
PSG Dominates Midfield
In high-stakes matches like this, dominating the midfield usually sets the tone, and PSG did just that.
It wasn’t as easy as the first leg, but progressively, they took charge. Young talents like Vitinha and João Neves showed their skills, running the show with their passing and ball control.
Neves, just 20, and Vitinha, 25, took the spotlight, with Vitinha touching the ball 136 times and completing 103 out of 111 passes. When you’ve got players like that, everything seems effortless. — Laurens
Liverpool Needs to Bounce Back for Carabao Cup Final
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot described this week as like facing “three cup finals.” After being knocked out, they still managed to come back and beat Southampton 3-1 in the league, creating a solid cushion on top of the Premier League.
While the Champions League loss stings, the Reds need to focus on their upcoming Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United. They can’t let this disappointment derail their season.
A major worry is that right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold might be out with a knee injury, and Konaté also went off during the match. They’ll need serious mental and physical strength to recover for Sunday. But hey, if any team can dust themselves off, it’s Liverpool. — Lindop
PSG is Looking Like Favorites for Champions League
PGS came out of this feeling like champions—winning both legs against a strong Liverpool side puts them in the spotlight.
Now that they’ve knocked out one of Europe’s best teams, expectations are high for PSG to push through and win it all. Not just because they beat Liverpool, but because they’ve got some serious talent and now carry a confident swagger.
PSG fears no one now—even against strong teams like Real Madrid, Atletico, or Arsenal, who are potential opponents in future rounds. These teams should be sweating at the thought of facing PSG.
Can PSG Go All the Way?
PSG didn’t aim for Champions League glory this season, hoping for Year 3 to be the ticket. Yet, after learning from their past disappointments, this squad is reshaped and ready to shine!
The team is buzzing with confidence, especially with Dembélé and Vitinha leading the charge. They believe they can control the game and defeat anyone in their way. — Laurens
New Champions League Format Lacks Perks for Liverpool
Recent talks have been buzzing about whether the new Champions League format is a win or lose situation.
After witnessing the thrilling games between Liverpool and PSG, one could argue it’s an improvement—aimed at intensifying legendary matchups.
But for Liverpool, there isn’t too much upside from their stellar performance in league play. They won seven out of eight league matches but ended up facing a tough opponent like PSG in the knockout stage.
Liverpool’s head coach Slot raised an eyebrow at how valuable finishing at the top actually was, especially when facing a powerhouse like PSG in the next round.
Even though knockout football can be harsh, it’s clear Liverpool has reasons to feel slighted. They proved to be serious contenders, yet landed a tough draw. — Lindop
